Major Gifts Officer

Description:

Reports to: Senior Director of Development

FLSA Status: Exempt

Primary Function:

Directs the identification, research, cultivation, and solicitation of major gift individual prospects and donors. Prepares correspondence, proposals and reports. Conducts face-to-face solicitations, involving Club executives and key volunteers, as appropriate.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Contribute to the development of overall development goals and strategies and manage the implementation of all activities relating to Major Gifts campaigns.

Strategic Planning

• Research and identify individual prospects for major gifts solicitations. Prepare background reports on donor giving and interests and develops proposals for donor consideration.
• Evaluate giving trends of individual donors and determine those with potential for upgrading to Major Gift status.
• Evaluate overall results of Major Gifts campaign and recommend modifications or new approaches to support successful achievement of development goals.

Resource Development

• Cultivate potential Major Gifts prospects, develops proposals and conducts solicitations of individual donors.
• Collaborate with Club executives and key volunteers to engage them in donor solicitations, based on donor interests, personal relationships, program expertise or other criteria.
• Resource Management
• Control fund raising expenses related to Major Gifts solicitations within budget.
• Manage record keeping for Major Gifts donors, assuring effective administrative and operational support functions are in place.
• Train Club staff, executives, board members and volunteers in solicitation techniques and involve them in Major Gifts activities.
• Partnership Development
• Develop strategic alliances with community leaders, donors and prospects. Develop collaborative partnerships with other youth serving organizations, members, parents, families, funders and community organizations.
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Increase visibility of Club programs, services and activities and maintain good public relations with donors and prospects.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal: Maintain oral and written contact with the Director of Development, Chief Executive Officer, Board of Directors, staff peers, and volunteers for the purpose of exchange of information and to coordinate activities.

External: Maintain oral and written contact with other donors, prospects and others for the purpose of exchanging information and ideas and for the purpose of fundraising.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.
• A minimum of five years work experience in relevant fund raising activities and a proven track record of accomplishment in this area.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with all types of people.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Club staff, Board members, volunteers, community groups, and other related agencies. Knowledge of accessing and utilizing donor data base.